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Pope Urges Youth To Log Off And Do “Fruitful” Actions

VATICAN CITY, VATICAN – MARCH 13: Newly elected Pope Francis I appears on the central balcony of St Peter’s Basilica on March 13, 2013 in Vatican City, Vatican. Argentinian Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected as the 266th Pontiff and will lead the world’s 1.2 billion Catholics. (credit: Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images)

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ROME (CBS Detroit) – Pope Francis urged young people to unplug from their electronic devices and take part in activities that are “good” and “fruitful,” according to reports.

Francis told 50,000 German altar servers who were visiting Rome that, “Maybe many young people waste too many hours on futile things,” Reuters reported.

These “futile” things included chatting on the Internet or on smartphones and watching TV soap operas according to the report. These products may simplify life, but “distract attention away from what is really important.”

He urged the youth on a pilgrimage to Rome to make the most of their day.

“Our life is made up of time, and time is a gift from God, so it is important that it be used in good and fruitful actions,” the report stated.

The pope himself has a several Twitter accounts, and has 4.3 million followers on the English language account. Francis is not actively Tweeting on a daily basis, but does post insightful messages about every two or three days.

These Tweets include commenting on world issues from politics to sport and living simply:

I ask all people of good will to join us today in praying for peace in the Middle East. #weprayforpeace